The Offer

This picture is an assault

on Italian Americans everywhere.

If I have my way, you won't make this movie at all.

"The Godfather" is becoming a problem.

We wanna give you some help.

No.

One more thing. Pacino.

Give him another shot. No Pacino.

How many fucking times do I have to tell you?

I got a script the size of an encyclopedia,

a director in love with the shortest unknown actor

on the fucking planet,

and Biaggi's making waves.

Am I forgetting anything?

No.

I'm pretty sure that covers it.

Joe Gallo's actions led to our last war.

If Gallo comes gunning for Colombo,

you get caught with a stray bullet.

What do you got in mind for him?

I'm gonna light his whole fucking world on fire.

It's you and me now. Your enemies are my enemies.

Please, I don't want no trouble.

The Marlon Brando's house.

Ever since your letter, I keep thinking about the Don.

Pacino and Brando in the same frame.

I'm working on it.

Side with Francis. Pacino's the guy.

Evans gave you your shot.

If I say yes, he's gonna be pissed.

You stabbed me in the back. I don't like Pacino!

I want to be with you.

All of you or none of you.

This is the life that we've chosen.

We can only be around other people who understand that.

You got the part, kid.

I'm doing "The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight."

I signed a contract.

What are you doing? Come on.

I like this song. No.

You're sending the wrong message, kid.

What fucking message?

Here we go.

That's good, no?

Whatever, old man, I like this too.

Ah, fuck you with the "old man."

Would you look at this jamoke?

The fuck?

Fuck that.

Come on!

What the fuck is he doin'?

Hey, buddy, you gotta move this fuckin' car

before I move it for you.

Fuck.

Let him go.

What do you think's in the truck?

Don't matter.

What the fuck are you doing here?

Oh, my God, you smell like a sick dog.

What the fuck?

I just got off a plane.

I need your help.

Boy, did you come to the wrong place.

You told me to do whatever it takes to get my movie made.

You said to color outside the lines.

I never told you to fuck me over.

That was never my intention, Bob.

Yeah, and Yoko Ono never intended

to break up The Beatles.

I don't give a fuck about your intentions.

It was for the movie.

It was for the good of the movie.

Keep saying that to yourself.

Listen.

Pacino can't do the film.

He signed on to another project.

Problem solved then.

I need you to get him out of it.

You have got to be fucking kidding me.

Come on, Bob.

You've never even given him a shot.

He's got something special.

We need him.

What you need is a fucking shower.

Mush.

Now, Paramount is just one asset among dozens

in the Gulf and Western portfolio.

Now, by God's grace,

we have a record-breaking hit called "Love Story,"

but I won't pretend that we knew

it was gonna hit like this.

And that is actually my point.

Making movies has become too unpredictable.

Hollywood was founded by men who understood

that the bottom line of making movies

is to make money.

But gentlemen, that system is broken.

The men with their hands on the wheel now,

they are, quite frankly, bullshit artists

who like to think of themselves as the talent.

They know exactly what to say to us

to get our money,

but they can give a damn about making it back

because they are not businessmen.

Now that we have finally had some success,

we can get a much better price

if we offload Paramount now and cash out.

So that's why we're here today.

We are here to seek the board's approval

to begin the exploration process because

we have already had four suitors interested.

Charlie, anything to add?

Some of you think that

I have a sentimental attachment to Paramount.

I have a sentimental attachment to many things,

which is why when I sell them,

I sell them for a lot of money.

Tessio, he's gotta be older.

He... he's like the oldest guy in the whole family.

So what you're saying is you want Clemenza to be

two or three years younger?

Yeah, that'd be good. You got anybody in mind?

Hello. Hi.

Where's Ruddy?

He's on his way back from LA.

His flight lands later tonight.

Why's he in LA?

Doesn't he realize that the producer

is supposed to be here for pre-production?

We have a sit-down with Tavoularis and Gordy.

Did you tell him?

I was waiting until Ruddy got back.

Tell me what? What is wrong?

Pacino signed a contract for another movie.

Come on, Francis.

Jimmy Caan's screen test was good and you know it.

We just set him for Sonny.

And now you want me to just make him Michael?

Francis, you know this shit happens all the time.

Andrea, this isn't musical chairs.

Caan is not even Italian. Okay.

You're making a movie with Marlon Brando.

And don't worry, we'll find another Michael.

Will he just look at Pacino?

Roll it back, would you?

Again?

How many times do we have to watch "Panic in Needle Park"?

There's a scene in "The Godfather" script,

Michael tells his brother-in-law

he's not gonna kill him but we know he's lying.

It's a shocking scene.

But it's gotta be played in the subtext.

Pacino doesn't have to say a word

and I can't take my eyes off him.

"An ice-blue, terrifying film

about people you love."

Fuckin' Ruddy.

Hi. Hey, Bettye.

Ooh, you smell nice.

Fancy hotel, fancy soap.

Gotta love the Waldorf.

How'd it go with Evans? What did he say?

He said, "Do whatever it takes

to get your movie made, Ruddy. I support you."

So not well, I take it.

Have you...

have you seen this?

It's Carmine.

Fuck.

I liked that guy.

Al, this is really scary.

We're gonna be okay.

You got any good news for me?

Well, your buddy Jack Ballard

is waiting for you in your office.

Shit.

You and I are gonna need to have a little chat

about what exactly constitutes good news.

Just the man I want to see.

Jack, what are you doing here?

Anything you need, Mr. Producer.

Have you met our editor? Aram Avakian, Al Ruddy.

Aram, I thought you weren't getting in until tomorrow.

Uh, Jack called me.

He wanted to get acquainted a day earlier.

Oh, did he? Mm.

Glad to be aboard. Glad to have you.

Jack, did you see "The Miracle Worker"?

Nah, missed it. Aram cut it.

It's beautiful work.

Mm, thank you.

Al's gonna need a miracle to bring us in on budget.

Aram, tell you what.

We'll have a drink, take each other's temperature,

and solve the world's problems. Sounds good to me.

Where and when? Count me in.

For the second round, Jack.

I like to meet the team on my own first.

Oh, sorry. I wasn't sure about that

since you missed the meeting with your production designer